moshe safdie: khalsa heritage center

'khalsa heritage center' by safdie architects, anandpur sahib, punjab, india
view of northern elevation
all images © ram rahman


international practice safdie architects has completed the 'khalsa heritage center' located in anandpur sahib, punjab, india.
slated to officially open this fall, the new museum complex is dedicated to the sikh people, commemorating 500 years of
history and the 300th anniversary of khalsa, scriptures written by the notable and final guru, gobind singh. overlooking the
adjacent town, the 75 acre site is divided by a ravine and interconnected with a pedestrian bridge.

the western half contains an entry piazza, auditorium, extensive library and interchangeable exhibition spaces. on the eastern
half of the site, galleries with permanent displays are housed within a series of five concave peaked roofs prefacing the dramatic
himalayan mountains. each gallery within the cluster represents one of the five virtues symbolic of the sikh faith. arcades of cast
in place concrete columns support the exterior faced with sand colored gwalior stone. the stainless steel roof acquires qualities
of the changing atmospheric conditions while water is directed through the ravine introducing a reflective water garden.



view of entrance



gallery buildings and reflecting ponds



view of gallery buildings



gallery building's five roofs



view of pedestrian bridge leading towards southern complex



gallery



view from nearby anandpur sahib


project info:


client: anandpur sahib foundation
associate architect: ashok dhawan architects
public opening: fall 2011
total area: 250,000 square feet
total cost: 21 million USD